Assertion (A) and Reason (R) provided. Choose correctly:
Assertion (A): UDAN Scheme boosts regional air links.
Reason (R): It offers viability gap funding to airlines.

The correct option is Both true, R explains A.

Assertion (A): UDAN Scheme boosts regional air links.
This statement is true. The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme is a regional airport development and "Regional Connectivity Scheme" (RCS) initiated by the Government of India. Its main goal is to make air travel affordable and widespread by enhancing regional air connectivity across unserved and underserved airports in the country.

Reason (R): It offers viability gap funding to airlines.
This statement is also true. To encourage airlines to operate on unviable regional routes, the scheme provides Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to offset the financial loss of offering capped, affordable fares to passengers.

Relationship between Assertion and Reason:
The provision of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is the key financial mechanism that directly incentivizes participating airlines to fly on regional routes that would otherwise be unprofitable. Therefore, Reason (R) correctly explains why the UDAN Scheme successfully boosts regional air links (Assertion A).